The most talented folk artists have been announced – the laureates were a gardener, a woodcarver and a cross stitcher

The community of fosterers of folk art traditions traditionally started the New Year by honoring the best creators of the year – masters of visual, applied art and cross-stitching. The solemn ceremony of announcing the laureates took place on January 6 at the Kretinga Museum.

30 craftsmen who continue the traditions of old crafts presented their works at the national exhibition and sought the prestigious award of Lithuanian folk art – the “Golden Wreath”. The competition commission announced the best of the visual folk art master Irena Kvedarienė (wood carvings), the applied folk art master, straw garden tyer Vidas Sniečkuvienė and cross stitcher Antanas Vaškis.

Wood carver Ona Paulauskienė won the second place in the visual arts category, and wood craftsman Antanas Lastauskas took the third place. In the field of applied art, the second place was awarded to the weaver Zita Paulikiene, and the third place to the master of musical instruments, Algirdas Juškevičius. Among the masters of cross-work, the second place went to the woodworker Sauluis Rumbučius, and the third – to the cross-worker Valentas Butkas.

This year, the “Golden Wreath” regional folk art exhibition organized by the Lithuanian National Cultural Center completed its nineteenth round, visited nine cities and towns, where more than six hundred folk masters shared the fruits of their creativity. Authors of different ages and creative experience exhibited their works at the exhibitions – some of them cultivate the crafts they learned from their parents or elders all their lives, while for others, creativity is a pleasant leisure activity. The professions of the creators are diverse – doctors, teachers, physicists, historians, farmers, but all are united by a common denominator – love for folk art and the goal of nurturing old traditions.

“It may appear that the national Golden Crown show is like a competition for the best title. However, it is really a celebration of masters who nurture our centuries-old traditions. The works exhibited at the national exhibition are an example for creators, an eye-opener for admirers and a story of the nation’s history for those interested. It is like a temporary museum exhibition presenting today’s folk art. There are works that have remained almost unchanged over the years, and very modern works that have preserved the old spirit. This only proves that the tradition is alive”, says Asta Valiukevičienė, folk art specialist of the Lithuanian National Cultural Center.

The “Golden Wreath” awards established by the Lithuanian National Cultural Center are the most important assessment of the country’s folk artists – the authors of outstanding works of folk art. Awards are given for folk art (sculpture, painting, graphics, carvings), applied art (textiles, ceramics, applied woodwork, blacksmithing, jewelry and traditional works of daisies, willows, gardens) and crosswork (crosses, roof pillars, chapel pillars, chapels and others) monuments of traditional form).

The most interesting works, the most valuable from the point of view of the reflection of tradition and artistry, can be seen already this summer at the folk art exhibition held during the days of the Lithuanian Song Festival at the Museum of Applied Arts.

Press release